🔗 Share this article

The Australian bold action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for other nations.

Across Europe Movement

Across Europe, a increasing number of countries are exploring parallel bans.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that phones and networks are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". Legislation could be passed next year.
• Norway is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban could be "an tools on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to approve a bill lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable action, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has urged parents to prevent their children from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a non-binding statement demanding a ban for minors without a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" quality of these apps, the move does not create mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a good first step," said one MEP behind the measure.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance

For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "supported by robust research".

Earlier, support gathered behind a legislative effort to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the government vowed to investigate the topic.

Charities have voiced concerns. A prominent charity established by the family of a girl who took her own life after viewing dangerous social media material argues that a simple age ban may not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of harm when users reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to create tools that are appropriate and fit for minors," stated a prominent peer.

America: A Fragmented Picture

Across America, regulation is mostly happening at the local level amid federal inaction.

• Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a bill banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a law restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further access dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted measures mandating parental consent for minors to create social media presences.

Even with widespread concern and calls from various politicians to mimic this path, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Outlook

Outside of the West, further nations are also exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, international bodies adopt a more measured stance. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The body notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize user protection.

As this international discussion evolves, the policies of Australia and others show that policymakers globally are no longer content to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.